Council commits more funds to pickleball courts in Grey Highlands

Grey Highlands council agreed to advance about $77,000 toward four outdoor pickleball courts near the Flesherton arena, with the municipality expecting to recover the sum through seasonal user fees over five to six years.

Grey Highlands council agreed to advance about $77,000 to support construction of four outdoor pickleball courts near the Flesherton arena. The overall project is estimated at about $200,000 and the municipality had already committed $50,000. Pickleball Grey Highlands has been fundraising and had raised funds as of Jan. 21, and the courts would be on municipal land and open for public use. Council discussed recovering the advanced amount through seasonal user fees rather than a tax commitment. Key details: - Council approved advancing about $77,000 toward four outdoor pickleball courts located near the Flesherton arena. - The project estimate is about $200,000; the municipality has committed $50,000 and Pickleball Grey Highlands had raised approximately $73,000 as of Jan. 21. - Staff expect the municipality to recover the advanced amount through seasonal user fees over five to six years, with proposed fees of about $45 for local users, $60 for out-of-town users and $30 for youth. - The proposed shared-use agreement would include the club's commitment to contribute to maintenance and court surface renewal as needed, and the club will continue fundraising and seeking sponsorships. - The council vote was five in favour and one against, with Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen absent. Summary: Council's approval moves the project forward while relying on continued club fundraising and a plan to recoup the advance through user fees. A third-party shared-use agreement was outlined in the staff report but had not yet been drafted, and drafting that agreement was described as a next step.